The Puri Police launched Operation White Metal after a daring highway robbery on NH‑316 near Samjajpur Railway Over‑Bridge on November 20, 2025.
Armed assailants intercepted a vehicle carrying cash, gold, and silver from Radha Krushna Jewellery and fled with the loot.
Following the complaint, the Superintendent of Police formed two Special Investigation Wings. Subsequently, raids at multiple hideouts led to the arrest of four accused between December 1 and 2.
Investigators revealed that Tukula @ Tuku Nayak, a jewellery shop owner, conspired with Bapi @ Prasant Pradhan. Together, they recruited three hardened criminals, including M. Goutham from Andhra Pradesh and Subhrajit Mohanty, an MBA student from Bhubaneswar. The gang used a Skoda car (AP‑05CY‑8656) and a motorcycle to execute the robbery and escape.
Police recovered high‑value stolen property worth Rs 78.96 lakh, including:
- 132 g of gold ornaments (8 necklaces)
- 31 kg of silver ornaments
- Rs 6 lakh in cash
- 6 mobile phones
- A pistol with 2 live rounds
- Vehicles used in the crime
During interrogation, the accused confessed to the crime. The recovery of stolen items confirmed the conspiracy and execution of the robbery.
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